Wireless Terminal Power Reporting for Base Station Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless terminals in cellular wireless communications systems lack a reliable method for reporting their available transmission power to base stations, making it difficult for base stations to accurately control and manage uplink data rates.
Innovation Solution
A method where wireless terminals generate and transmit power reports indicating the ratio of their maximum transmit power to the transmit power of a reference signal, allowing base stations to determine the available power for user data transmission, using a dedicated control channel with recurring reporting schedules and closed-loop power control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the base station controls transmission power based on received signal strength, then power control can be implemented, but the base station cannot know the actual transmission power used or the maximum transmission power level capacity of the wireless terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the wireless terminal reports its power backoff value and maximum transmission power level to the base station through uplink control channels. This feedback loop enables the base station to accurately know the terminal's actual power capability and adjust downlink power control accordingly, resolving the information asymmetry problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal performs preliminary measurements of its power backoff during idle mode and reports this information to the base station before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary action allows the base station to have advance knowledge of the terminal's power capability for better scheduling and power control decisions.
2Reliability
If measurement information is reported frequently, then the base station has up-to-date power availability information, but the signaling overhead and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic reporting where the terminal transmits power backoff information at scheduled intervals through dedicated control channels rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains reliable power availability information at the base station while significantly reducing the terminal's power consumption and signaling overhead compared to continuous reporting.
3Productivity
If detailed power information is transmitted, then the base station can optimize scheduling and power allocation, but the control channel overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation by reporting power backoff as a single differential value relative to maximum power, rather than transmitting full power level information. This parameter transformation enables the base station to optimize scheduling and power allocation with minimal control channel overhead, as the differential value compactly encodes the essential power capability information.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to wireless communications methods and apparatus and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for reporting and interpreting communicated control information. A method of operating a communications device is disclosed, the method comprising: checking (4704) whether at least one of i) a transition from a first mode of communications device operations to a second mode of communications device operation and ii) a handoff operation from a first connection to a second connection while remaining in the second mode of communications device operation has occurred; and after one of said events has occurred, transmitting (4708) an initial control information report set including one or a plurality of reports.